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Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Sauvignon Blanc, News and Views

Rodney Strong Charlotte's Home Sauvignon Blanc (Sonoma County) 2004*
Joseph Phelps Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley) 2003

http://www.professorbainbridgeonwine.com/2005/12/rodney_strong_c.html

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2004 Wine Review (NW)
Cloudy Bay quickly became the benchmark New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with excellent offerings year after year.

http://winecask.blogspot.com/2006/01/cloudy-bay-sauvignon-blanc-2004-wine.html

Wine Tasting Note: Saints Selection Sauvignon Blanc, 2005, Marlborough, New Zealand.
Spittoon - Wine Tasting Note: Saints Selection Sauvignon Blanc, 2005, Marlborough, New Zealand. Wine Tasting Note: Saints Selection Sauvignon Blanc, 2005, Marlborough, New Zealand.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/Spittoonbiz?m=981

2003 Chateau St. Jean Sonoma County Fume Blanc (Sauvignon Blanc)
Wine Tasting Note: Saints Selection Sauvignon Blanc, 2005, Marlborough, New Zealand.

http://bighousewine.blogspot.com/2005/12/2003-chateau-st-jean-sonoma-county.html

X Winery ES Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2004
X Winery ES Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc was sourced from Lake County.

http://volunteer.blogs.com/winewaves/2005/12/x_winery_es_vin.html

Time for wines
Feanny's second pick of New Zealand's Waipara Hills, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, 2004, provides enough of a fruity edge to complement many of our dishes. As the New Zealanders have made their name over the last five years with the Sauvignon Blanc, so have the Argentines developed a world-beating reputation with the robust Malbec.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/Food/html/20060111T200000-0500_96386_OBS_TIME_FOR_WINES.asp

Casa Lapostolle Rapel Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2004
Casa Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc 2004 is a blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Semillon, grown on the Las Kuras Estate. There are about 100 acres of Sauvignon Blanc, planted in 1992.

http://volunteer.blogs.com/winewaves/2006/01/casa_lapostolle.html

Joseph Phelps Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley) 2003
At the top end, it's hard to think of a wine that's routinely as amazing as Insignia, while their basic varietal level wines, such as this Sauvignon Blanc ($22), are excellent. This wine is towards the melon and green apple end of the SB flavor spectrum, but there is still enough grass and herbs (cilantro?) to let you know you're dealing with Sauvignon Blanc.

http://www.professorbainbridgeonwine.com/2006/01/joseph_phelps_s.html

Paso Robles Offers New Adventures in Wine
It combines viognier, marsanne, roussanne and sauvignon blanc to produce a fragrant wine that is less than $12.

http://www.gilroydispatch.com/lifestyles/contentview.asp?c=177058

Stormhoek Sauvignon Blanc yum!
My free bottle of Stormhoek Sauvignon Blanc has arrived.

http://moblog.co.uk/view.php?id=98594

New Zealand or Bust
(Once you try a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc you'll never go back.) But you can only learn so much about a country by drinking their wine, reading books, and watching Lord of the Rings.

http://www.onfocus.com/2006/01/

50 Connect
Australia had Shiraz and New Zealand was the first and last word in Sauvignon Blanc, albeit in a guise that had most of the traditional Loire producers stating that it was not Sauvignon at all, but cunningly fermented gooseberry juice. As I mentioned earlier, New Zealand first won renown for Sauvignon Blanc.

http://50connect.co.uk/50c/goodwineguide.asp?article=13878

The Chronicles Top Bargain Wines of 2005
This wine takes advantage of the fact that the world center of great Sauvignon Blanc is now that country's Marlborough region. In its cool climate, the grape develops strong, pungent aromas and flavors of tropical fruit and fresh-mown grass that were shocking 20 years ago to fans of the more austere, mineral-driven wines made from Sauvignon Blanc in France's Loire region.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/12/29/WIG99GE1IE1.DTL

Austrian dry white lights up palate with intriguing scents
Imagine an expressive character somewhere between Viognier (floral, perfumed, fruity) and Sauvignon Blanc (grassy, herbal, flinty).

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060119/LIFESTYLE05/601190434/1042

Sauvignon Blanc goes with everything, including pesto
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most versatile and food-friendly wines, complementing everything from briny oysters to creamy, fresh goat cheese to spicy Thai noodle dishes. However, the wide range of Sauvignon Blanc styles produced in Sonoma County can make food pairing a challenge.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/12/29/WIG99GDV4J1.DTL

Seeing Rojo
Each of the valleys near Ensenada has a slightly different microclimate, and the grape varietals that fare best are Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

http://www.slweekly.com/editorial/2006/grpv_2006-01-19.cfm

Pair Mexican fare with Sauvignon Blanc
In a perfect world, you couldn't go wrong by pairing Mexican fare with Sauvignon Blanc. Surprisingly, however, the only Sauvignon Blanc on this restaurant's wine list was a selection from New Zealand.

http://www.vvdailypress.com/2006/11363829752531.html

10 tips to being a smarter, thriftier wine buyer
• 2004 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc: A spritz of acid burst lightly on the tongue, followed by rounded fruit flavors and an herbal finish.

http://www.azcentral.com/home/wine/articles/0124tentips0124.html

Vintage Year
Both Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc ($7.95) and Tohu Sauvignon Blanc ($12.95) are crisp, clean and loaded with tropical fruit flavors. They are good alternatives to the overpriced Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc everyone loves.

http://www.slweekly.com/editorial/2006/grpv_2006-01-05.cfm

Another year, another 700 bottles to get through - all in the line ...
Tariquet Famille Grassa Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (£6.99, Somerfield) is beautifully floral and so spring-like you'll hear bees a buzzin'. Trapiche Falling Star Sauvignon Blanc Semillon (£3.99, Morrisons).

http://news.scotsman.com/features.cfm?id=24972006

Cape Campbell 2004 Sauvignon Blanc
This is a fuller bodied style of Sauvignon Blanc with clean racy acidity and a long lingering finish.

http://www.wineforyou.info/trackback/26

Livermore Valley: A new wine-tasting experience
Livermore garnered recognition for California's wine-making capabilities when Wetmore won America's first international gold medal at the 1889 Paris Exposition for his Cresta Blanca Sauvignon Blanc. Before making our way to the visitors center, we wandered along a walkway lined with different grape vines, each labeled to help us distinguish the cabernet from the sauvignon blanc clusters.

http://www.sltrib.com/travel/ci_3425281

On your Marks if you want to bag some bargain bottles
Well-kent supermarket face is Kumala Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2004 (£3.99, was £4.99, Sainsbury's, until Jan 24). Similar blend grapes, but Jacob's Creek Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (£3.99, was £4.99, Sainsbury's, until Jan 24) is less demonstrative - in fact nondescript.

http://news.scotsman.com/features.cfm?id=97842006

Winecast 44 The Big Three Whites
I taste the Big Three Whites, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay live on the show and invite listeners to taste these wines as they listen.

http://winecast.net/?p=247

Fast Track to Fine Wine?
Similar treatment to a Sauvignon Blanc 2004 resulted in a drier aftertaste.

http://science.slashdot.org/science/06/01/22/2112226.shtml

Central California Coast overflowing with wineries
Chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, merlot and sauvignon blanc are also prominent throughout the Central Coast and coastal valleys. Meridian 2004 Central Coast Sauvignon Blanc: You really cannot expect more for $10.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=57267

Food Drink Value vino
Produced by Chiles Veramonte, which is run by father-and-son pioneers Agustin and Agustin Francisco Huneeus, Duo is the ideal expression of two varietals, sauvignon blanc and cabernet sauvignon, and two growing regions, the Casablanca and Maipo valleys. The 05 Sauvignon Blanc from Casablanca epitomizes grassy gooseberry and citrus-peel crispness, yet it nicely warms to a mellow expression in the glass.

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15948030&BRD=2318&PAG=461&dept_id=484045&rfi=6

Sydney Morning Herald
Similar treatment to a Sauvignon Blanc 2004 resulted in a drier aftertaste.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/breaking/fast-track-to-a-fine-vintage/2006/01/21/1137734189171.html

Las Brisas: Rueda Wine Review
The chalky soils there are conducive to dry, minerally whites; the main grapes grown are Verdejo (or Verdeho), Viura, and to a lesser extent, Sauvignon Blanc.

http://wineweekly.com/wine-reviews/everyday-wines/las-brisas-rueda-wine-review/

Swirl n Spit
Like most other whites, Sauvignon Blanc doesn't need a lot of oak or other heavy makeup to shine; in fact, she's at her very finest completely nude. Sauvignon Blanc damsels: Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett.

http://www.metroactive.com/papers/sonoma/01.18.06/swirl-0603.html

Cool Australian region produces some lovely wines
There's also some cabernet sauvignon and smaller amounts of sauvignon blanc, shiraz, merlot and cabernet franc. Portet makes a fresh, slightly grassy sauvignon blanc ($18) with flavors of grapefruit and stone fruits.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/entertainment/dining/13651740.htm

Stand up for semillon
Jim Barry 'Silly Mid On' Sauvignon Blanc Semillion. In Bordeaux which like all French winemaking areas is strictly controlled by the Institut National des Appellations d'Origine semillon, sauvignon blanc and muscadelle are the only grapes approved for making white wine (sauternes is made with semillon and sauviugnon blanc, for example).

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3538163a7775,00.html

Tis the season for oysters: Pair em with a pearl
Geyser Peak Winery 2004 California Sauvignon Blanc ($12): Like the Dry Creek Vineyard chenin blanc, the assertively grassy and fruity Geyser Peak sauvignon blanc is a repeat winner at the oyster-and-wine competition. A somewhat more aromatic and heftier version of this wine also fitting for oysters is the Geyser Peak Winery 2004 Block Collection Russian River Valley River Road Ranch Sauvignon Blanc ($19), which tied for best interpretation of the varietal at this year's California State Fair.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/13602989.htm

Affordable reds, whites available
From California, the 2005 Chateau Souverain Sauvignon Blanc and the 2004 Ferrari-Carano Fum Blanc are winners with their clean, crisp finishes and user-friendly tastes.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/food/sfl-fdwine19jan19,0,22005.story?coll=sfla-features-food

Grocery store passes first taste test
2003 Mirassou Sauvignon Blanc, California ($9) - It's a dry white with good, fresh lemon-lime flavor and texture. The aroma has some of the usual Sauvignon Blanc straw and hay.

http://www.azcentral.com/home/wine/articles/0118tarbell0118.html

Well-made receptacles bring outa good wines best qualities
There is no mistaking the grassy, herbaceous aromas of a Sauvignon Blanc when put next to an oaky, tropical fruity Chardonnay or the cola nut aromas of a Pinot Noir when compared to the cassis of a Cabernet Sauvignon. Thus, a tallish (and smallish) tapered glass made for Sauvignon Blanc required you to tilt your head farther back than the balloon-shaped Chardonnay glass.

http://www.charleston.net/stories/?newsID=64586&section=food

Chimney Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2004
The Spice Must Flow | Friday Jan 20 A very good find for the lovely price of around $10. From the Marlborough region of New Zealand. I'm not very accomplished at reviewing wines. I know what tastes good to me. This ... Tags:

http://www.of2minds.org/spice/archives/001091

No-name Eponymous label has a big name behind it
Pepi and Booth are also now making wine under the Two Angels label for a Lake County, Calif., couple -- nicely priced sauvignon blanc, syrah and petite sirah. 2004 Two Angels Sauvignon Blanc, Shannon Ridge Vineyards, Lake County (Calif.): ripe melon flavors, a hint of flint, crisp, tart and dry; $15.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/food/13650901.htm

Screw tops are a wonderful twist
2005 Omaka Springs Estates Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($15-$17) - 2005 was only two weeks ago and, wow, here it is the first of the vintage I've tasted. 2004 Whitehall Lane Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, Calif.

http://www.azcentral.com/home/wine/articles/0111tarbell0111.html

Richard and Judy help sweet wine get its just desserts
Dona Paula Los Cardos Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (£5.99, Oddbins) is a savoury, herbaceous Argentinian white giving off peapod-like aromas, and having an audacious acidity that will cope with goat's cheese, or shellfish. Trio Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (£5.99, Oddbins) explodes on the nose with nettle-clump aromas, but quietens down to a dry, "green" drop that's perfect for shellfish.

http://news.scotsman.com/features.cfm?id=59382006

Tastings back in WSJ free RSS feed
While checking my blogroll this morning, I was pleasantly surprised to see todays column about Sauvignon Blanc in the feed. If you want some more information on the varietal, check out my Sauvignon Blanc and Sancerre shows.

http://winecast.net/?p=174

Thirteen toasts to the finest wines of 2005
Tohu Mugwi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2004 ($22.95) The first on the list, from way back in early January, hasnt even arrived yet; this was to have been here in the spring, in a mind-numbing allotmentfor the whole country! For my palate its the best Sauvignon Blanc out of New Zealand, or most other places, I got to taste yet.

http://www.straight.com/content.cfm?id=15077

Paradise lost to greed and fear
The Age, Australia- Settling back with a few SSBs, are ya? said the Hertz guy. Semillon sauvignon blanc. Not so many. Our party of ...

http://www.theage.com.au/news/in-depth/paradise-lost-to-greed-and-fear/2006/01/23/1137864858625.html

Posted by KenW at 6:48 AM
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